My truck is a 2002, 4 cylinder, manual, quad cab, 175 thousand miles.

I would say my truck hesitates in first gear and sometimes in second, but that would be an understatement. When I start out from a dead stop in first it feels like I am in the wrong gear all together. Sometime the truck adjusts quickly, sometime I have to go out of first and back in, and sometimes it is not happy and just takes its own time to decide to go. The kicker is that it does not happen all the time. I would say it is a 50/50 thing. I have been driving a manual for a very long time, so I am ruling out driver error.

I have been told it is not a transmission problem or a clutch problem (but personally I have not ruled those possibilities out.) It has been suggested that perhaps the computer is not giving the fuel system the right information therefore the truck is not receiving the right amount of fuel to go. I have to get the emissions system fixed, but have been told that that could not be the problem either. A full diagnostics on the computer was run last week. The only problem that came up was the emissions.

I have had the clutch replaced a year ago, from an 11 inch to a 12, because the mechanic could not find a 11 inch. He said that it would not make a difference.

The truck has been totaled for hail damage, so I need to decide, keep it as salvage or give it to the insurance company. It has a great engine (given a thumbs up last week.) I am afraid whatever is going on with the hesitation will cost more than the truck is worth, but I have no clue. And no one seems to give me a good answer. I don't have the luxury to wait until the truck falls apart and then get rid of it. I have to make a choice now. Anyone out there have a thought? Thanks!

 

i wouldnt spend any more money on a 4cycl.

 

Total it and get ur money then go get a newer Dakota

 

Yup^^